The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1887-04-14
INDUSTRIAL BRIEFLErS.

INDUSTRIAL BR1EFLErS.
Dr.. Wiley; chemist to the department,
of agriculture. writes: Occasionally re-
ports are made which lead us to believe
that evil effects MAY sometimes follow
the use of sorghum as a fodder. Cen
orally any such injury is attributed to
the poor condition in which the fodder
is used. Two French chemists, Berthe
lot and Andre. have latterly shown that
the lower part of the sorghum contains
enough nitratcs to make its use obicc-
tionable: 1t has been estimated that
in one hundred pounds of sorghum as
much as six ounces of nitrates are
found. Since these salts are mostly in
the lower p art of the stalk it is recon-.
mendcd to cut sorghum rather high
when it is to be used for fodder. By
Observing this Frecaution and also see
ing that when sorghum is preserved in
silo it is fed in good condition., no
danger need be apprehendcd.
The cause of the fertility produced
in fruit trees by bending the twigs at
an acute angle, has been investigated
by Professor Soraner: He finds that
the bark on the lower surface Of the
twig. below the bend. is thrown into
transverse folds, here and there de-
tached from the wood. New woody
tissue is formed in these cavities, which
is filled with starch grains, and after
this there is formation OF new woody
tissue of u normal character, but al
ways thicker there than elsewhere, and
especially on the convex upper surface.
The mass of woody tissue checks the
flow of water toward the tip of the
branch, to the great advantage of the
bud directly beneath, which is thus
more likely to develop as fruit bud.
Some observations made in France
by M. Cosson may throw light upon
many mysterious fires. In one instance
spontaneous firing arose from an air
current heated to II degrees, Fahrenheit
only: The wood slowly carbon;zed
at that temperature. and. being thus
made extremely poruos, a rapid absorb
ton of oxygen resulted, and sufficient
heat was then produced to inflame the
dry material. In another case the
warmth from the air-hole of stove
was sufficient to sci fire to WOO d-work.
When files have become clogged with
oil and grease the best plan is to boil
them for a few minutes in some
strong caustic soda-water. A little
scrubb;ng with an old toothbrush W ill
be beneficial before rincing thin in boil
ing water and drying before a fire.
The ''pins, which are SO harmful to
fine work, can be removed by thin.
hard piece of sheet brass. These 'pins"
may to great extent be avoided by
using chalk on the file if it be used dry,
or oil when that may be applied.
Some experiments carried out at the
Ontario Agricultural college to test the
terminating qualities of seeds of vari-
Gus kinds, ten years old. have given the
percentage of termination: Tares. 80;
mangolds. y; tnrnips. %; buckwhcat,
Is; clover, 6; timothy grass, 2; barley,
oats, rye, beans, and peas, 0 Several
samples of most varieties were tried.
In the case of beans, though ten sam
pies failed to germinatc, two tried sep
arately gave a per cent of So.
Bad breath in COWS indicate some dis
order of the stomach, and is generally
accompanied by feverlsh symptoms.
either hot or cold horns. and falling
off of milk. The feeding of a handful
or two of pulverized charcoal with each
feed of meal or bran, and mixed with
it, in our experience is one of the best
cOrrectives that can be used. 1t is
equally valuable for all other domestic
animals, and not less so in the family,
only the quantity should be decreased.
An English food-inspector, Mr..
James Bell, finds that horsetiesh and
beef can not be positively distinguish
ed by external appearance, but that the
fat is a reliable test. The horse-fat is
fluid at a temperature of 20 degrees,
and has a specific gravity at 100 de-
grees of about 9O8. I; while the fat of
beef nclts ut 40 to 12O degrees, and is
considerably lighter. The low melting
point of the fat will show when
sausages are made from horse-meat.
Bruises may be taken out of the
woodwork of scientific instruments by
wetting with warm water. Then lay
on the place brown paper about five
layers thick, and apply hot flat-iron
until the moisture is cvaporated. If
the bruisc is not gone repeat the pro-
cess. If the bruise is small, merely
soak it with warm water, and apply a
rcdhot poker very near the surface.
Keep the wood wet and in few min
utes the bruise will disappear.
The annual general meeting of the
British Beekeepers' association was
held Feb. 16 at No. 105 Jermyn street,
P.ccadillv, the Baroness Burdett
Coutts, president of the association,
being in the chair. The report for the
past year, which was adopted, showed
that the work had been more success
full than previously, the improvement
being due to royal patronage. and to
the support given by the county
affiliated branches.
A. l. Brown urged the Importance,
at Maine genealogical meeting, of
every person providing an abundant
supply of fresh fruit at all times for
the home table. He asserts that he
knew from experience that blackberries
and raspbcrrics in that state could be
produced and picked for q cents a
basket, and that as many bushels of
Strawberries as of potatoes could be
raised on one square rod of land.
Great interest is taken in fish propaga.
ton in Louisiana at present. The legis-